LIFE WITH BIG BROTHER

Seattle cancels police drones after outcry

Miniature robots equipped with stealth spy cameras

(NBC NEWS) SEATTLE – A plan by Seattle police to send aloft miniature robot drones equipped with stealth spy cameras has been grounded, following heated criticism of the project by residents concerned about privacy rights, the mayor says.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said Thursday that he and Police Chief John Diaz decided to cancel the use of two unmanned helicopters to better focus on maintaining the public’s trust.

The miniature helicopters, known as Draganflyer X6 drones, weigh 3.5 lbs and are equipped to carry video, still and night-vision cameras. In Seattle, they would have been used to search for missing persons and in certain criminal investigations, police said.